Master Spy ** (1963, Stephen Murray, June Thorburn, Alan Wheatley, John Carson) – Classic Movie Review 13,052

Stephen Murray stars as a Russian nuclear scientist who defects to the West and is then suspected of spying for the Soviets, in the modestly engaging 1963 British B-movie spy thriller film Master Spy.

Director Montgomery Tully’s modestly engaging 1963 British B-movie suspense spy thriller film Master Spy stars Stephen Murray, June Thorburn, Alan Wheatley, and John Carson.

Stephen Murray stars as Russian nuclear scientist Dr Boris Turganev, who defects from an unnamed country to the West, resumes his work on neutron rays at a UK secret scientific establishment, and is then suspected of spying for the Soviets. But he is really an agent for MI5, working for British Intelligence and seeking to catch a spy ring run by wealthy Paul Skelton (Alan Wheatley) .

The team of Maurice J Wilson and Montgomery Tully write, produce and direct with considerable zeal and enthusiasm. But it’s the fragrant performances of the rather splendid cast that mainly compensate for the cheap-looking production and dated, though still enjoyable spy shenanigans. Stephen Murray, Alan Wheatley, and John Carson are all in their element, and their usual compelling, excellent selves.

It is the last film of June Thorburn, who died in a plane crash on 4 November 1967, aged 36. All 37 people on board the Spain to London Iberia Flight 062 were killed when it crashed at Blackdown, Sussex.

The screenplay by Maurice J Wilson and Montgomery Tully is based on the short story They Also Serve by Gerald Anstruther and Paul White.

The cast are Stephen Murray as Boris Turganev, June Thorburn as Leila Telford, Alan Wheatley as Paul Skelton, John Carson as Richard Colman, John Bown as John Baxter, Jack Watson as Captain Foster, Ernest Clark as Doctor Pembury, Peter Gilmore as Tom Masters, Marne Maitland as Doctor Asafu, Ellen Pollock as Dr Mary Morrell, Hugh Morton as Sir Gilbert Saunders, Basil Dignam as Richard Horton, Victor Beaumont as Petrov, Hamilton Dyce as Airport Controller, Michael Peake as Barnes, Dan Cressey as Policeman, Derek Francis as Police Inspector, John G Heller as Police Officer, Aileen Lewis as woman boarding plane, and John H Watson as detective at airport.

Release dates: August 19, 1963 (UK) and August 19, 1964 (US).

Running time: 70 minutes.

Patricia June Thubron-Smith [June Thorburn] (8 June 1931 – 4 November 1967).

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,052

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